Editorial: Welcome to bench, Judge LaFlamme

Gov. Rick Snyder this week ended one of the more contested campaigns for judge that Jackson County has seen in years. He chose attorney Richard LaFlamme as a Circuit Court judge, replacing Chad Schmucker and making a potentially major impact on the local courthouse.

LaFlamme earned Snyder’s support from a field of roughly a dozen attorneys. It was a seasoned group that included prosecutors and defense attorneys, and represented a pent-up demand from the legal community. Openings like this do not come around often.

Schmucker, who left to become the state’s court administrator five months ago, showed the power of the position. Beyond handing down decisions in individual cases, he was a force behind court efforts locally that focus on drug abusers and people with mental illness. Jackson enjoys a reputation as having an efficient bench, in no small part due to Schmucker’s work.

LaFlamme looks to be a reasonable choice to carry that torch. The 58-year-old has been a lawyer for three decades, working largely in employment and business law. He has no criminal experience, but is widely known as fair-minded. Jackson County’s chief circuit judge, John McBain, immediately praised his appointment.

In some quarters, there is criticism of a system that puts the power to appoint mid-term judges in the governor’s hands. Still, LaFlamme holds a guarantee of this job only through next year, presumably when he will run for re-election. The public can weigh in on his record at that point and choose between him and any potential challengers.

In the meantime, we wish LaFlamme the best and praise the governor for making a good choice from a large field of qualified candidates.

Now, Jackson County’s bench — with District Judge James Justin still suspended — is a little closer to being fully staffed.